Windows XP Installation/Setup Tasks

Setting up a PC with Windows, eh? Lucky you. Here is a [growing] list of things to do before turning that box over to the user:

Basic Setup

• Ensure Sara is tracking the PC's property ID tag and system user in her database.
• Install Windows XP
• Download and install latest drivers
• Install XP Service Pack 3
• Download and install latest Windows updates
• Call (Do NOT email!) the TAMU-CC Faculty & Staff Computer Helpdesk (x2692) and create a work order to install the following:
  • Microsoft Office (site license)
  • Symantec Anti-Virus (site license)
  • SSH Secure Shell (site license)
  • Any other software the user requires (Adobe Acrobat Professional, etc.)
• Run Symantec Anti-Virus' LiveUpdate and download the latest updates
• Install network printers, print a test page
• Install any local printers
• If the computer is connected to the firewalled network (i.e., the CBI building), you must register the wired MAC ID w/ network services (by phone) before the computer can connect to the network
• If the computer will connect to the campus wifi network (TAMUCC), you need to register the wireless MAC ID with network services (web form)
  • Use either ipconfig /all or getmac (maybe) in the Windows Command Prompt to determine the wired/wireless MAC ID
• Install Spybot - Search & Destroy©® along with the latest detection updates.
  • Immunize the computer
  • Turn off Spybot's resident protection tool
  • Turn off TeaTimer tool
• Install Firefox and set as the default web browser
  • Install Adobe Flash
  • Set default homepage to http://lighthouse.tamucc.edu/
• Install CBI's CA certificate on Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox - for HTTPS access to lighthouse/webmail
• Install Acrobat Reader unless Acrobat Professional is already installed
• Customize the PC to the User's needs. This includes using the File and Settings XFR Wizard to migrate My Documents and their Settings/bookmarks. This is the most efficient way to do this all at once.
  • Make sure the new and the old computer have the same Service Pack level, otherwise the File and Settings Transfer Wizard will not work! - Dealing with corrupt Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (F.A.S.T) image
• Make sure My Computer and My Documents icons appear on the desktop.

Field Setup

Complete the additional tasks if the computer is destined to be used by the field crew. Install and configure the following applications:

• Adobe Acrobat Professional - NOAA uses PDF forms for equipment requests and returns
• Procomm (from CD) - check license availability w/ Sara
  • Run once after installing for initial setup purposes
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition w/ Service Pack 1 - install from burned CD (don't download)
  • Don't install MS SQL Server Express Edition if given the option
• X-generator - generates all files to upload in a Sutron Expert, Xdark, 9210. The latest version (2008? 2009?) requires 2008 Visual C++ w/ Service Pack 1.
• PuTTY - download PuTTY from website, save executable in c:\bin
• Leveling software - Sara has a CD w/ this software. Requires environment variable setup in Windows XP
  • View README.TXT on CD for installation instructions
• [Presently on hold] NGS Benchmark maps - Greg H. suggested two alternatives:
  • Maptech Terrain Navigator Pro (detailed features) - $299.99 [not sure how many licenses that buys us]
  • Google Earth using KML w/ Texas benchmarks - free, requires network access

Create Shortcuts

Create shortcuts to the following items on the desktop:

• Hyperterminal (prompt on desktop)
• Command prompt (prompt on desktop)
  • Change Start in: property to c:\leveling
• PuTTY

Create Folders

Create the following folders on the desktop:

• Primary
• Backup

Sensor-specific Software

Software specific to sensors/instruments which we will not install but provide links and/or catalog:

• XTerm.exe - download XTerm.exe from Sutron's website
• Aquadopp (from CD)
• Maxstream software (from CD) - buoy radios
• Wireless Ace 3G (from AirLink CD)
• XCTU (cd) - located on the MaxStream CD
• SonUtils v4.20 - configure/download data from Sontek instruments

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